CMS SOM App. E, Tag I-150

If speech pathology services are offered, the organization provides an adequate

program of speech pathology and has an adequate number of qualified personnel

and the equipment necessary to carry out its program and to fulfill its objectives.

Interpretive Guidelines §485.715

A - General

Speech-language pathology services are those services (examples are provided below)

that are provided within the scope of practice of speech-language pathologists and are

necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of speech and language disorders.

The speech pathology services provided should be such that patients accepted for

treatment are able to receive services as medically indicated. The equipment used by

speech-language pathologists may vary from organization to organization, depending

upon the types of patients that each organization accepts for service. Equipment must be

available that is necessary for the patient’s treatment.

Review personnel rosters and patient census to determine that the organization provides

sufficient qualified personnel to adequately serve the patients it accepts for services.

B - Major Sources of Information

• Plans of care, and speech pathology evaluations and progress notes;

• Patient care policies;

• Personnel records—job descriptions, employee qualifications, and current

licensure information; and

• Clinical records.